Merry Christmas !!

We are snowed in here, but hey! CHRIST is still the reason for the season. Have a fabulous day. Eat, drink, love the ones you are with, and be grateful. Always be grateful.

Ciao.

Gospel Music spotlight: Gbenga Owoeye-Wise

I owned Gbenga's first cd. Well, kind of - someone made me a copy and I remember playing it at my house when I had company. It was really popular until one of my "friends" finally stole it. Is it considered stealing if the person who takes the stuff tells you they took it, but have no intention of returning it? Hmmm!!
After I threatened fire and brimstone, and was met was met with no response, I finally went to investigate how to get another copy. I guess my loss was your gain, and I guess, Gbenga's too, because I bought a legitimate copy and now I can tell you where to get yours too.

Bottomline is, his music is that good - for praise or for worship. Back when he released the first cd, it was THE cd - very popular!! Unfortunately though, Mr Wise does not seem to be as prolific as many of his colleagues in terms of output, and its hard to find his stuff on youtube or any of the usual online suspects. In fact, after some intensive digging, this was all I could find to show you:




This song is from his second cd "colorful". It is unfortunate, but he does not seem to have produced anything since that album in 2004.

A little about him:

His name is GBENGA OWOEYE-WISE but he’s called GBENGA WISE by his fans since he came into the mainstream gospel scene in 1992. Gbenga’s musical career began as a praise and worship leader in a local church in Lagos Nigeria called Winners Chapel. He served under the leadership of Bishop David Oyedepo in what is one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Gbenga was a worship leader there for seven years to the congregation of over sixty thousand members. As an up and coming vocalist his fisrt cd was released in 1995 as a dual. He was profoundly involve in church ministries through music and was tenacious in this domain. He joined the House on the Rock Church in Lagos in 1997 as the Praise and Worship leader there. In 2000 he traveled to the United States with group of church members to attend the Potters House in Dallas, Texas (Pastored by Bishop T.D Jakes) to perform at the dedication ceremony of their new auditorium. Gbenga has now made to transition to lving in the U.S. and over the past few years he has ministered in songs many churches through his powerful music. He recently performed at a concert hosted by Bobby Jones on aids awareness in Harlem New York. Gbenga recently won the Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2006 for the Best Gospel Artist.

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Gbenga, despite being out of circulation, still has two great cds out, which are widely available for purchase. African praise 1 was one of the first and most popular praise compilation cds out there. It was released in 2003. The second album colorful was released in 2004. Both are widely available for purchase. You can find them on amazon and I suspect itunes (which I still refuse to use!!), and cdbaby among several other online sources.

You can learn more about him on facebook and on his myspace page.

Enjoy!!

Gospel music spotlight: Sammie Okposo

Sammie Okposo is basically the king of gospel music in Nigeria - no contest. I own all of his albums and jam to them all the time. His albums contain everything from praise, to worship to inspirational, to chillout, to dance music. He sings in a whole bunch of genres too. Just love his music.

About Sammie:

Born in the late sixties, Gospel Artiste Sammie Okposo hails from Delta State, Nigeria. Growing up, Sammie dedicated time to his Church playing Piano for the Choir. His music profession started as a producer in 1995 when he joined the Nigerian Movie Industry as a Sound Track Producer and later ventured into Music Producing. Today, he is credited for producing hits for some of the biggest names in the Nigerian Music Scene.

In 2000, Sammie took Nigerian Gospel Music to another level with the release of his debut album titled Unconditional Love. The hit track off the album “Welu-Welu” gained international popularity. In, 2004 Sammie was invited to Perform at the 2004 Martin Luther King Day and July 4TH Independence day Celebrations respectively in Lagos and has featured prominently in Concerts in all over Nigeria, Africa, Europe and America. Labeled as one of the most electrifying and inspiring voices in Gospel Music, his music has won him not only a wide audience and critical acclaim, but also numerous Awards in appreciation of his work.

1994 — Most Promising Male Artiste (Fame Music Awards)
1997 — Best Sound Track (The Movie Awards- Nigeria)
1998 — Best Sound Track (The Movie Awards- Nigeria)
1999 — Best Sound Track (The Movie Awards- Nigeria)
2000 — Best Sound Track (The Movie Awards-Nigeria)
2001 — Best Gospel Artiste (Amen Awards- Nigeria)
2002 — Best Contemporary Gospel Artiste (Power of Music and Praise Awards)
2002 — Gospel Artiste Of The Year (Power of Music and Praise Awards)
2003 — Best Gospel Male Artiste in Africa Nominee (KORA Awards, South Africa)
2005 — Best Male Contemporary Gospel Artiste in Nigeria (Amen Awards)
2005 — Best Male Gospel Artiste in Africa (KORA Awards, South Africa)
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Yes, he is a much decorated singer. He has had three albums out, and they are all wonderful.

Video from the albums -

Album 1: Welu Welu Reloaded



Album 2: Addicted











Album 3: No more drama








I have to say, great as all his albums are, the second one is my favorite by far. Just a masterpiece, fabulous from beginning to end.

So where can you get his stuff? Lots of places actually.

All three are available on cdbaby, the last two are available for download on amazon and also here in the US. UK buyers can get his music here. I am sure there are numerous other outlets for our UK folk.

You can learn more about him on his website.

Enjoy!

Gospel Music spotlight: Samsong

I have no idea why this singer has never blown up as a gospel artiste in Nigeria. He is a super talented and very creative singer. Anyways, before I analyze the problem, first an introduction:

Samson Uche Mogekwu (Samsong)has been singing since he was eight years old, taking his music more seriously by being part of a group called Praise Creation (PeeCee). The group released their first album in 1996 titled 'Best of Life'. Now Samsong, as a solo artist, has released two albums. His debut album titled 'Count Your Blessings' has done extremely well at home and abroad. He has recently released his second album titled 'World of My Dreams' featuring the hit single 'Bianule' and guest appearances by Styl Plus, Onyeka Onwenu amongst others.

Samsong has received a handful of awards and accolades, including the Psalmist Award. He was nominated as the "Best Gospel Artist" in the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) in New York 2008.

source

Some samples of his music:

Bianule



One love, ft Onyeka Onwenu


Count your blessings


Brighter day




He obviously has a beautiful voice right? Why isn't he well known? I have no idea. So I am connecting you to Samsong's beautiful voice and inspiring music.

You can find out more about him on his Myspace and on his wiki bio here.

His music is available for purchase here for US buyers, and here for UK buyers.

Isn't the amount of talent in the gospel genre amazing?

Ciao.

Christmas comedy: 12 days of christmas

So most people know the song - "the 12 days of Christmas" a cute song about true love and crass materialism LOL! But this post is not about the song, but about all the awesome parodies of it that exist.

First up, somebody wrote "12 days after christmas" that documents the breakup of this christmasy relationship. Its really funny!!

The lyrics:
The first day after Christmas, my true love and I had a fight.
And so I chopped the pear tree down and burned it just for spite.
Then, with a single cartridge, I shot that blasted partridge,
That my true love, my true love gave to me.

The second day after Christmas, I pulled on the old rubber gloves
And very gently wrung the necks of both the turtle doves,
My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The third day after Christmas, my mother caught the croup;
I had to use the three French hens to make some chicken soup.
The four calling birds were a big mistake,
For their language was obscene .
The five gold rings were completely fake
And they turned my fingers green.

The sixth day after Christmas, the six laying geese wouldn't lay:
I gave the whole darn gaggle to the ASPCA.

On the seventh day what a mess I found:
All seven of the swimming swans had drowned,
My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The eighth day after Christmas, before they could suspect,
I bundled up the . . .
Eight maids a-milking,
Nine pipers piping,
Ten ladies dancing,
'Leven lords a-leaping,
Twelve drummers drumming
(spoken) Well, actually I kept one of the drummers(girls)
Well, actually I kept one of the maids a-milking(boys)

And sent them back collect.
I wrote my true love, "We are through, love"
And I said in so many words,
"Furthermore your Christmas gifts were for the birds!"
(echo of "four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree."

LOLL!!
Other versions of the song:



There are several others on youtube. They all make me laugh!!

There are several parodies of the original song as well. My very favorite is this one - I think its funny and brilliant all at the same time.



Then there is the politically incorrect Indian version (LOL!!)




Teheheheh! As you can see, I am in a Christmas mood, despite all the snow, wind and ice that has been harassing my life.

Hope the season brings amazing things your way. And don't forget, JESUS is the reason for the season.

Ciao.

SADE is realllllly back!!!!!

Yeah baby!

My beloved Sade is back, with the sultry voice, amazing lyrics! Always loved her.

First single is out too:



Full album out in 2010. Can't wait.

Yay!!!!

Awesome Nigerian Christmas Music

Edit: Update for 2010 can be found here
After I made this posting, I found that Mocheddah has a christmas cd out, and its even available for free - details here. To my surprise, homegirl can REALLY sing. NICE! In my defense, its brand new. Oh lest I forget, there is also this single by Kelly Hansome. Its also available for free download. Enjoy!!

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So, nobody has ever really made a Naija Christmas album - at least, not to the best of my knowledge. But there is a strong choral tradition of Christmas music especially in the yoruba language that many choirs around the world have performed in concert. I was first made aware of this a couple of years ago when I went to a Christmas concert when I was in school. They were singing in Yoruba, with a shekere and drums. It was awesome!! So, here are a few of my favorite Nigerian songs, by both local and international groups. Hope it brings you some Christmas cheer as we enter the season.

Just for information: One of the most popular is Betilehemu. I found this comment on youtube regarding the song:

While I do not speak Yoruba, I was taught this song by the man who write it more than 50 years ago, Wendell P. Whalum. Dr. Whalum was the Director of the Morehouse College Glee Club from 1953 until his death in 1987. Sometime in the early 1950's, he overheard his friend Babatunde Olatunji humming a tune from Babatunde's childhood. Dr. Whalum thought it would make a terrific song for the Glee Club to perform. Betelehemu has been a staple of the Morehouse Glee Club repertoire ever since.

source

Enjoy!

1)BETELEHEMU , different versions

a) Mormon tabernacle choir (I may not agree with their theology, but dang, can they sing!!)





African Children's choir


Morehouse glee club







Its obviously a very popular christmas song - so many choirs sing it. Just google it or put the song on youtube, you will find so many awesome renditions of the song.

The next three songs are by the Fountain of Life church choir in Lagos.

2) Elu agogo (in yoruba)


3) In Efik language


4) In Igbo language



Other christmas songs I found:

Keresimesi (the original)


Some copies:






LOLL!!!!
And to end with some awesome music:

African Noel by The Marionettes Chorale (Trinidad and Tobago)



We need to put more of our Christmas music out there honestly. I remember attending some awesome concerts when I was back home. I guess I should have recorded them, but there was no youtube back then (sigh!).

I guess my next assignment will be to find christmas music from the rest of Africa.

Enjoy!